Although I recently shared the story of the first wedding I attended in Crete, I make no apologies for sharing the most recent - yesterday!
The service took place at the little church of St John the Baptist near the village of Stylos. It was a warm day and the tiny church would barely hold the priest and the Bride and Groom so the ceremony was held outside.
It is set amongst beautiful Plane trees ( Platanes) hence the name "Platanakia" They
gave lovely shade to all the guests
The groom was waiting for his bride with a bouquet. - He and the groomsmen had arrived on very loud motorbikes!
Everything ready for the service
It's a serious business being flower girl!
The Cicadas were singing in the trees
The sun glinted of the cross on the top of the church.
The bride arrives in a cabriolet - to the sound of revving motorbikes!
They enter the courtyard of the church
The bridesmaids attended to their duties
The best man swapped the coronets on the happy couple's heads as part of the ritual. (I did not notice whether the bride stamped on the groom's foot at the appropriate moment - this means that she will be the boss!)
The ride and groom each have a drink of wine given to them by the priest
the "Dance of Isaiah" - Three times around the altar - whilst being pelted by rose petals and rice
After the service we attended the wedding breakfast at the "Kendro" in Proverma "Dimitra"
The wedding was a fairly modest occasion by Cretan standards - only 500 people! ( Some weddings you attend can have 2000)
The bride and groom entered, not to the usual wedding march but to Led Zeppelin!
The food arrived:
Limitless water, local wine, cola, sprite, raki
Graviera cheese and honey,Xirotigana ( a kind of deep fried, honey and nut covered pastry,
Appetisers of liver, meatballs, sausages, cheese filled crepes and spinach pies,
Tsigariasto with fried potatoes ( lamb cooked in a casserole without sauce)
Boiled lamb,
Pilaffi,
Salad,
Roast Pork with roast potatoes,
Fruit,
Ice cream or cake!
Some energy needed to be expended so the dancing began. Lots of different dances, and a fabulous Cretan Sousta by the Bride and Groom!
It began to thin out about 1 am, but the dancing was still going strong.
Να Ζεισετει!
Before the main dancing begins the youngsters practice their steps!
Throwing the bouquet
A traditional Sousta
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